5 most popular folk art styles that originated in India | The Times of India (2024)

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India is a diverse land. No two states are alike, no two food choices are the same, and no two regions have the same kind of art. Unlike a lot of other nations, India gives a new form of art after every few kilometres. Be it Uttarakhand’s floor art, or Rajasthan’s wall art designs, there is something new and unique for everyone.
Here we list 5 popular folk art styles that originated in India.

(Image: Canva)

One of the most beautiful and exquisite Indian folk art is ‘Kalamkari’. In kalamkari, the artists hand-paint and block-print on the cloth or fabric, and the designs done are so unique, minute, and beautiful, that it can woo people away. Usually, artists entirely hand-paint the cloth using a kalam, or bamboo pen, and paint scenes from Hindu scriptures.
In another style, called Machilipatnam, the artists use block prints for outlining the designs, and then manually fill them with colour which are usually natural, obtained from trees, flowers, and even fruits.

(Image: Canva)

Kolam is a South Indian art form, and especially popular in Tamil Nadu. Kolam prints are basically geometric patterns and designs that are made on the ground, usually right in front of the home or in the courtyards (angan) using rice flour or chalk powder. Men and women wake up early in the morning, say a short prayer, and then begin designing the Kolam. It is said that these beautiful designs bring in prosperity and ward off evil spirits.

(Image: Canva)

Mithila paintings, or Madhubani, are one of the most exquisite art forms in all of India. They are minimal, beautiful, subtle on the colours, very detailed, and require a ton of hard work. Since time immemorial, men and women (though dominantly women) have been making these beauties with fingers, twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks. For a long time, only natural dyes and colours were used and those were obtained from flowers, veggies, and fruits.

(Image: Canva)

The Kalighat paintings are a famous and integral part of Bengal and were first started near Kalighat Kali temple. Kalighat paintings have bold outlines, bright colours, usually depict Goddesses, and have very simple depictions. Kalighat artists used watercolours on mill-made paper, creating paintings that were accessible and affordable to the pilgrims and tourists who came to Kalighat mandir.

(Image: Old Indian Art/Pinterest)

Probably one of the most aesthetic and beautiful Indian art forms is Phulkari. Evident by the name, Phulkari is basically floral artwork, and is mostly done on clothes and fabric. Phulkari artists do some amazing embroidery work on their coarse cotton fabrics and Phulkari suits and chunnis now sell for very high prices.
The artists make patterns of flowers, animals, and geometric shapes, and use bright, contrasting colours to add to the appeal of their cloth.

(Image: Pinterest)